Industry Expert Insights...
Ethan Llewellyn reviews the London Engineering Contract Market and an update by Sam Mayo on M&E/Comms
Ethan Llewellyn Matchtech Rail Lead Design Consultant
London Engineering Contract Market Review
The contract London Engineering market is slowly picking up following a tricky period with CP7 fast approaching. We are working directly with multiple contractors and consultancies who have secured packages of work on CP7. In light of this we are forecasting large increases in contract vacancies in April when CP7 commences.
My advice if you are gearing up for a project start in April would be to get ahead of the curve with recruitment as early as possible in order to access the best talent first and avoid bidding wars.
HS2's tunnelling machine has successfully reached Old Oak Common station, marking a significant milestone in the project's progress and bringing it one step closer to its destination at Euston.
Due to the contracts currently progressing through the design and implementation phases, there has been a notable surge in vacancies at Old Oak Common. These positions span various disciplines, including Design Engineers, Design Managers, BIM Technicians, and Project Managers, covering areas such as Civil, Structural, and MEP.
The majority of London Underground's needs have centred around roles in Project Engineering or Design Engineering, specifically for the Piccadilly Line Upgrade. Contracts for these positions typically span up to 2 years.
Sam Mayo An update from our Manager of M&E/Comms
With the construction phases of Crossrail concluded, now operational as the Elizabeth Line, and HS2 undergoing adjustments, particularly in its northern leg, as CP6 approaches completion, companies await news on work allocation from the new Network Rail Frameworks in anticipation of CP7. Concurrently, amid the UK's official entry into a recession and with an impending General Election, there's a prevailing sense of uncertainty within the Railway Telecoms and M&E sectors.
Nevertheless, the railway industry is without question resilient, known for its cyclical nature characterised by periods of peaks and troughs. This fluctuation will be familiar to those with long-standing experience in the sector.
While it's important to be cautious in the current constrained railway Telecoms and M&E market, it's equally vital to prioritise obtaining 'value for money' in the immediate future. Now is not the time for a ‘race to the bottom’, instead ensuring the right costs and the right resource are in place to get it ‘right first time’. Striking the right balance between cost-effectiveness and project quality is paramount. Pursuing competitive cost-cutting for the cheapest option may lead to short-term gains but often results in long-term setbacks. The industry has witnessed instances where under-pricing, vague scopes, and inadequate resource allocation have led to substantial overspending on projects.
There is still a huge shortage in highly skilled STEM talent in the UK, and the railway is far from immune from this problem. To attract and to retain these skills in the Industry we need to ensure that their skills are valued at the right market value.
Ethan Llewellyn Matchtech Rail Lead Design Consultant
London Engineering Contract Market Review
The contract London Engineering market is slowly picking up following a tricky period with CP7 fast approaching. We are working directly with multiple contractors and consultancies who have secured packages of work on CP7. In light of this we are forecasting large increases in contract vacancies in April when CP7 commences.
Sam Mayo An update from our Manager of M&E/Comms
With the construction phases of Crossrail concluded, now operational as the Elizabeth Line, and HS2 undergoing adjustments, particularly in its northern leg, as CP6 approaches completion, companies await news on work allocation from the new Network Rail Frameworks in anticipation of CP7. Concurrently, amid the UK's official entry into a recession and with an impending General Election, there's a prevailing sense of uncertainty within the Railway Telecoms and M&E sectors.